Hired gun out to kill us – DA
Allegations hitman offered R250 000 to eliminate councillors
ABRAWL which rocked the Nelson Mandela Bay council last year has spiralled into an alleged murder plot with claims that a hitman was hired for R250 000 to kill DA councillors Rano Kayser and Werner Senekal.
The plot allegations were made by Nelson Mandela Bay mayor Athol Trollip and safety and security political head John Best, while two councillors and a police officer claimed that the hitman was allegedly offered R250 000 to kill Senekal and Kayser.
Best said information shown to him by the police clearly revealed the involvement of a contract killer.
He said the DA approached the police on Wednesday afternoon after Senekal and Kayser started receiving threats via messages on their cellphones that morning.
In total, 15 messages were allegedly sent to Senekal and Kayser’s cellphones between Wednesday and Thursday.
He said the contents of the messages were part of the investigation and could not be made public.
“Without giving too much detail, the police tested evidence handed over and they found it was true.
“Police confirmed that it was definitely a hit and there was a hitman involved. They are waiting for specific evidence now.”
Since the threats Senekal, the council chief whip, and Kayser, the mayoral committee member who heads the roads and transport portfolio, have been assigned security details.
At a news briefing yesterday, Trollip said: “We regret our colleagues have been put in this position. It has made them feel more vulnerable but at the same time also more determined to perform their duties.
“The police believe this may be linked to the two councillors facing charges of attempted murder and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm whose next court appearance is on July 31.”
During the October 27 brawl, a glass jug was smashed over Kayser’s head while Senekal was stabbed in the back with a sharp object when a council meeting turned chaotic.
ANC PR councillor Andile Lungisa and Ward 19 councillor Gamalihleli Maqula were charged a few days later. They are due back in court on Monday where they face charges of attempted murder and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.
“These charges arose from criminal cases opened by Senekal and Kayser after the infamous council meeting where both councillors were assaulted with dangerous objects,” Trollip said.
“Despite the possible link, Senekal and Kayser will continue to work with the police and national prosecuting authority in the case against these other two councillors.”
Trollip was flanked by Senekal, Best and Kayser at the press briefing, with metro police officers standing nearby.
Best said the messages made reference to the court case but did not name anyone.
“No names are mentioned. I read all of them. There is no mention of a specific link to either Lungisa or [Maqula].”
When asked if he had any knowlwere edge of the alleged hit and threats yesterday, Lungisa laughed off the claims.
“I think the mayor is losing his mind. He needs to go to a hospital and undergo a mental examination. The pressure of being mayor must be getting to him,” he said.
Lungisa said the allegations baseless and an attempt to “revive” the court case against him and Maqula.
“Senekal and I are councillors. We are colleagues. When we sit in council I sit behind Kayser. We work together, we laugh together. Sometimes he even shares his cookies with me.
“These allegations are unfounded,” Lungisa said. Maqula declined to comment. Speaking at the press briefing, Kayser said he and Senekal both received the threats via text messages on the same day.
“Since then we have also received continuous messages. We cannot say much more than that, other than the matter is now in the hands of the police.”
Senekal said he was not deterred or intimidated by the threat.
“Our mission continues in government. I will not be deterred or intimidated by whatever their objectives are. I am not going to live in a prison due to these threats.
“My work continues and I am not going to be swayed by these tactics or objectives.”
ANC regional spokesman Gift Ngqondi said the party condemned the alleged death threats.
“Violent conduct or death threats of this kind can never have a place in our democracy. The ANC believes that the rule of law cannot be strengthened by breaking the law,” he said.
But Ngqondi said the DA-led coalition must stop making reckless statements linking ANC councilors to the threats without any tangible evidence.
“Knowing the DA, with their tendency to run to the courts . . . if they had any evidence against the ANC and its leaders with regards to these alleged death threats, they would have gone to court.”
Police spokeswoman Colonel Priscilla Naidu confirmed a case was opened at the Humewood Police Station and that it was under investigation.
“We cannot divulge any more information at this stage as it may jeopardise the investigation,” she said.
We regret our colleagues have been put in this position. It has made them feel more vulnerable
The police tested evidence handed over and they found it was true